Side wager and related method of playing blackjack

ABSTRACT

A side wager is placed on a game of Blackjack or Twenty-One that either one of the following two conditions are met: 1) a two-card poker hand value of an initial two cards dealt to the player will equal one of the plurality of paying two card poker hand values and an index value of each of the initial two cards dealt to the player is lower in magnitude than a prescribed index value; or 2) a suit and an index value of at least one of the initial two cards dealt to the player matches a suit and an index value of an initial face-up card dealt to the dealer. A winning amount is paid to the player if one of the conditions is met and the winning amount is increased if both of the conditions are met.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an optional side wager, referred toherein by the name “Under the Gun”, that can be made along with aprimary wager on the game of Blackjack or Twenty-one. The device allowsa player to place a side wager (henceforth referred to as “Betting Unit”or “Unit”) that will get paid in multiples (henceforth referred to as“Odds”) of the Betting Unit.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 6,896,266, by Fernando Terminel, the disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference, describes various aspects of thegame of Blackjack or Twenty-One. One example of a side wager isdescribed in detail, however, as further described therein, the averagelife time for a variant side bet game is short enough that there remainsa continuing need for candidate games.

SUMMARY

In a first embodiment, the player wins if the first two cards dealt tohim at the beginning of a blackjack round (henceforth referred to as the“Jackpot Hand”) both have index values under six (6). Further to this,the Odds paid to a Jackpot Hand are modified if the Dealer's Up-Cardmatches both the Index Value and Suit of at least one card in theJackpot Hand.

In a second embodiment, the player wins if the first two cards dealt tohim at the beginning of a blackjack round both have index values undernine (9) and the two cards equal one of a plurality of designated payingtwo card poker hands, or if the value and suit of the dealer's up-cardmatches the value and suit of at least one of the player's first twocards.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a method forenhancing a conventional game of Twenty-one, the method comprising:

providing a player an opportunity to place a Twenty-one wager toparticipate in the conventional game of Twenty-one;

providing the player an opportunity to place a side wager that an indexvalue of each of an initial two cards dealt to the player is lower inmagnitude than a prescribed index value;

dealing the initial two cards to the player;

verifying that the player placed the side wager and paying the player awinning amount on the side wager if the index value of each of theinitial two cards dealt to the player are lower in magnitude than theprescribed index value.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a methodfor enhancing a conventional game of Twenty-one, the method comprising:

providing a player an opportunity to place a Twenty-one wager toparticipate in the conventional game of Twenty-one;

providing the player an opportunity to place a side wager that atwo-card poker hand value of an initial two cards dealt to the playerwill equal one of the plurality of paying two card poker hand values andthat an index value of each of the initial two cards dealt to the playeris lower in magnitude than a prescribed index value;

dealing the initial two cards to the player;

verifying that the player placed the side wager and paying the player awinning amount on the side wager if the two-card poker hand value of theinitial two cards dealt to the player equals one of the plurality ofpaying two card poker hand values and that an index value of each of theinitial two cards dealt to the player is lower in magnitude than theprescribed index value.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provideda method for enhancing a conventional game of Twenty-one, the methodcomprising:

providing a player an opportunity to place a Twenty-one wager toparticipate in the conventional game of Twenty-one;

providing the player an opportunity to place a side wager that atwo-card poker hand value of an initial two cards dealt to the playerwill equal one of the plurality of paying two card poker hand values;

dealing the initial two cards to the player;

verifying that the player placed the side wager and paying the player awinning amount on the side wager if the two-card poker hand value of theinitial two cards dealt to the player equals one of the plurality ofpaying two card poker hand values; and

increasing the winning amount by a factor if a suit and an index valueof at least one of the initial two cards dealt to the player matches asuit and an index value an initial face-up card dealt to a dealer of theconventional game of Twenty-one

According to yet a further aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method for enhancing a conventional game of Twenty-one, themethod comprising:

providing a player an opportunity to place a Twenty-one wager toparticipate in the conventional game of Twenty-one;

providing the player an opportunity to place a side wager that either:

-   -   1) a two-card poker hand value of an initial two cards dealt to        the player will equal one of the plurality of paying two card        poker hand values; or    -   2) a suit and an index value of at least one of the initial two        cards dealt to the player matches a suit and an index value of        an initial face-up card dealt to a dealer of the conventional        game of Twenty-one;

dealing the initial two cards to the player; and

verifying that the player placed the side wager and paying the player awinning amount on the side wager if:

-   -   1) the two-card poker hand value of the initial two cards dealt        to the player equals one of the plurality of paying two card        poker hand values; or    -   2) the suit and the index value of at least one of the initial        two cards dealt to the player matches the suit and the index        value of the initial face-up card dealt to the dealer.

In this instance, the method preferably further includes increasing thewinning amount if both: 1) the two-card poker hand value of the initialtwo cards dealt to the player equals one of the plurality of paying twocard poker hand values; and 2) the suit and the index value of at leastone of the initial two cards dealt to the player matches the suit andthe index value of the initial face-up card dealt to the dealer.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod for enhancing a conventional game of Twenty-one, the methodcomprising:

providing a player an opportunity to place a Twenty-one wager toparticipate in the conventional game of Twenty-one;

providing the player an opportunity to place a side wager that atwo-card poker hand value of an initial two cards dealt to the playerwill equal one of the plurality of paying two card poker hand values andan index value of each of the initial two cards dealt to the player islower in magnitude than a prescribed index value;

dealing the initial two cards to the player;

verifying that the player placed the side wager and paying the player awinning amount on the side wager if the two-card poker hand value of theinitial two cards dealt to the player equals one of the plurality ofpaying two card poker hand values and the index value of each of theinitial two cards dealt to the player is lower in magnitude than theprescribed index value; and

increasing the winning amount by a factor if a suit and the index valueof at least one of the initial two cards dealt to the player matches asuit and an index value an initial face-up card dealt to a dealer of theconventional game of Twenty-one.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a method for enhancing a conventional game of Twenty-one, themethod comprising:

providing a player an opportunity to place a Twenty-one wager toparticipate in the conventional game of Twenty-one;

providing the player an opportunity to place a side wager that either:

-   -   1) a two-card poker hand value of an initial two cards dealt to        the player will equal one of the plurality of paying two card        poker hand values and an index value of each of the initial two        cards dealt to the player is lower in magnitude than a        prescribed index value; or    -   2) a suit and an index value of at least one of the initial two        cards dealt to the player matches a suit and an index value of        an initial face-up card dealt to a dealer of the conventional        game of Twenty-one;

dealing the initial two cards to the player; and

verifying that the player placed the side wager and paying the player awinning amount on the side wager if:

-   -   1) the two-card poker hand value of the initial two cards dealt        to the player equals one of the plurality of paying two card        poker hand values and the index value of each of the initial two        cards dealt to the player is lower in magnitude than the        prescribed index value; or    -   2) the suit and the index value of at least one of the initial        two cards dealt to the player matches the suit and the index        value of the initial face-up card dealt to the dealer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a Blackjack table for use with thevarious methods described herein;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the pay table of the gamedescribed herein in accordance with the first embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the pay table of the gamedescribed herein in accordance with the second embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 4 is a chart representing the plurality of paying two cards pokerhands of the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now more particularly to FIG. 2, the first embodiment will nowbe described in greater detail.

The method of play typically involves the following:

-   1. At the beginning of each round of blackjack, the player is given    the option of placing a Unit along with, but separate from, the    player's regular blackjack wager. After the Jackpot Hand is dealt to    the player and the Dealer has established an Up-Card, the Dealer    will determine the Odds that each Player is entitled to.-   2. The player gets paid at Odds of a positive amount if the Jackpot    Hand, where the player has placed a Unit, consists of both cards    having index values of less than six (6). These Odds will vary    depending on the composition of the Jackpot Hand, which will be    identified as subcategories in Method 6.-   3. The player gets paid at Odds of a negative amount if any of the    first two cards in the Jackpot Hand, where the player has placed a    Unit, has an index value of more than five (5).-   4. Index values of the court cards (Jack, Queen, and King) and the    Aces are valued higher than five (5).-   5. For Methods 2 & 3 the word “paid” refers to the Dealer either    giving the player an amount based on the product of the Odds and    Unit, or, in the case of Odds of a negative amount, taking from the    player an amount based on the product of the Odds and Unit.-   6. The Jackpot Hands described in Method 2 consist of six    subcategories and are described as follows:    -   For Methods 6.1 to 6.6, “value” refers to the index values of        the cards comprising the Jackpot Hand and “sequence” refers to        the index values being in sequence (e.g. 2-3, 3-4, & 4-5).    -   6.1. Original two cards have the same value and suit.        -   2-2 (Suited), 3-3 (Suited), 4-4 (Suited) & 5-5 (Suited).    -   6.2. Original two cards are in sequence and the same suit.        -   2-3 (Suited), 3-4 (Suited) & 4-5 (Suited).    -   6.3. Original two cards are not in sequence, not the same value,        but the same suit.        -   2-4 (Suited), 2-5 (Suited) & 3-5 (Suited).    -   6.4. Original two cards have the same value, but not the same        suit.        -   2-2 (Non-suited), 3-3 (Non-suited), 4-4 (Non-suited) & 5-5            (Non-suited).    -   6.5. Original two cards are in sequence, but not the same suit.        -   2-3 (Non-suited), 3-4 (Non-suited) & 4-5 (Non-suited).    -   6.6. Original two cards are not in sequence, not the same value,        and not the same suit.        -   2-4 (Non-suited), 2-5 (Non-suited) & 3-5 (Non-suited).-   7. The Jackpot Hands described in Method 3 consist of all Jackpot    hands exclusive of those identified in Methods 2 and 6.-   8. All Odds are modified by multiplying them by a designated number    (henceforth referred to as a “Factor”) if the Dealer's Up-card    matches both the index value and suit of at least one of the cards    in the Player's Jackpot Hand.    -   e.g. Player's Initial two cards: King ♦-Four        -   Dealer's Up-Card: King ♦=Qualifies        -   Player's Initial two cards: Jack ♥-Three        -   Dealer's Up-Card: Jack ♥=Does not qualify        -   Player's Initial two cards: Two            -Five ♥        -   Dealer's Up-Card: Five ♥=Qualifies-   9. Method 8 modifies the Odds described in Method 2 by multiplying    them by factors that are positive numbers.-   10. Method 8 modifies the Odds described in Method 3 by multiplying    them by negative numbers that will be determined by the amount of    the Betting Unit.-   11. Jackpot Hands with Odds modified by Methods 8 through 10 are    referred to as “Bull's-eye Bonus” hands.-   12. The “Dealer's Up-card” refers to the first card that is drawn to    the Dealer that is exposed, according to regular blackjack rules, to    the player prior to the players playing their hand.-   13. All Under the Gun Betting Units are resolved prior to any    regular blackjack game decisions are made.

Under the Gun is a blackjack side wager that can be offered on anyblackjack game utilizing 4 or more standard decks of cards.

The following is an example of possible Odds for the Jackpot Hands andpossible Factors that can be offered to modify the Odds for a Bulls-eyeBonus Hand: Bull's-eye Bonus Hands “Modified” “Jackpot Odds = “Odds” ×Hand” “Odds” “Factor” “Factor” Method 6.1 20 50 1000 Method 6.2 10 10100 Method 6.3 6 10 60 Method 6.4 4 10 40 Method 6.5 3 10 30 Method 6.62 10 20 Method 7* −1 −1 1 Method 7** −1 −3 3 Method 7*** −1 −5 5*Player wagers 1 to 4 Units**Player wagers 5 to 24 Units***Player wagers 25 Unit or above

The current device (Under the Gun) will be offered as a leased method ofgambling to gaming establishments as a supplement to their existingblackjack games. These blackjack games may be conducted by a live dealeror by an electronic method. The device will provide an additionalbetting option for a player while playing the game of blackjack. Thedevice will benefit the casino by providing additional revenue throughadditional play and a higher profit return on each wager.

Features:

-   1. “Under the Gun” is an optional side wager on the game of    blackjack.-   2. The number of standard 52 card decks used on a blackjack game    with the Under the Gun side wager is recommended to be six (6), but    must be no less than four (4).-   3. The side wager wins if:    -   3.1. Both of the player's first two cards (“original two cards”)        each have a face value of five (5) or less.        -   3.1.1. For the purpose of the Under the Gun side wager, Ace            cards are not valued as low and are considered higher than            five (5).    -   3.2. The Dealer's Up-card matches both the suit and value of the        first card and/or the suit and value of the second card.-   4. The outcome of the original blackjack game wager has no bearing    on the side wager and the outcome of the side wager has no bearing    on the original blackjack wager.-   5. Players must have a valid blackjack wager accompanying each side    wager.-   6. Only one side wager per betting square is allowed.    Qualifying Under the Gun Hand-   1. Should both of the player's first two cards (“original two    cards”) have face values of 5 or less, then the player is:    -   1.1. Entitled to a payoff in accordance with the Under the Gun        Pay Schedule if the player is not entitled to a “Bull's-eye        Bonus”.    -   1.2. Not entitled to a payoff in accordance with the Under the        Gun Pay Schedule if the player is entitled to a “Bull's-eye        Bonus”.        Under the Gun Pay Schedule (Six Decks)-   1. Suited Pair    -   1.1. Payoff odds are 20 to 1    -   1.2. Original two cards have the same value and suit.        -   1.2.1. 2-2 (Suited), 3-3 (Suited), 4-4 (Suited) & 5-5            (Suited).-   2. Straight-Flush    -   2.1. Payoff odds are 10 to 1    -   2.2. Original two cards are in sequence and the same suit.        -   2.2.1. 2-3 (Suited), 3-4 (Suited) & 4-5 (Suited).-   3. Flush    -   3.1. Payoff odds are 6 to 1    -   3.2. Original two cards are not in sequence, not the same value,        but the same suit.        -   3.2.1. 2-4 (Suited), 2-5 (Suited) & 3-5 (Suited).-   4. Non-suited Pair    -   4.1. Payoff odds are 4 to 1 (Note: 5 to 1 with 4 decks)    -   4.2. Original two cards have the same value, but not the same        suit.        -   4.2.1. 2-2 (Non-suited), 3-3 (Non-suited), 4-4 (Non-suited)            & 5-5 (Non-suited).-   5. Straight    -   5.1. Payoff odds are 3 to 1 (Note: 4 to 1 with 4 decks)    -   5.2. Original two cards are in sequence, but not the same suit.        -   5.2.1. 2-3 (Non-suited), 3-4 (Non-suited) & 4-5            (Non-suited).-   6. Varied Hand    -   6.1. Payoff odds are 2 to 1    -   6.2. Original two cards are not in sequence, not the same value,        and not the same suit.        -   6.2.1. 2-4 (Non-suited), 2-5 (Non-suited) & 3-5            (Non-suited).            Qualifying Bull's-Eye Bonus-   1. All side wagers are eligible to qualify for the Bull's-eye Bonus.-   2. The side wager qualifies for a Bull's-eye Bonus if:    -   2.1. The Dealer's up-card matches the suit and value of the        first card and/or the suit and value of the second card.-   3. All side wagers that qualify for a Bull's-eye Bonus are paid    according to the Bull's-eye Bonus Pay Schedule.-   4. The side wager does not qualify for a Bull's-eye Bonus if the    Dealer's up-card does not match the suit and value of the first card    and the suit and value of the second card.    Bull's-Eye Bonus Pay Schedule (Six Decks)-   1. A side wager that has qualified for a Under the Gun hand (as    described in the section “Qualifying Under the Gun Hand”) and has    qualified for a Bull's-eye Bonus (as described in the section    “Qualifying Bull's-eye Bonus”) will have the pay schedule (as    described in the section “Under the Gun Pay Schedule”) adjusted to    the following:    -   1.1. Suited Pair (as described in the section Under the Gun Pay        Schedule) will pay:        -   1.1.1. 1,000 to 1 instead of 20 to 1.    -   1.2. Straight-Flush (as described in the section Under the Gun        Pay Schedule) will pay:        -   1.2.1. 100 to 1 instead of 10 to 1.    -   1.3. Flush (as described in the section Under the Gun Pay        Schedule) will pay:        -   1.3.1. 60 to 1 instead of 6 to 1.    -   1.4. Non-Suited Pair (as described in the section Under the Gun        Pay Schedule) will pay:        -   1.4.1. 40 to 1 instead of 4 to 1. (Note: 50 to 1 with 4            decks)    -   1.5. Straight (as described in the section Under the Gun Pay        Schedule) will pay:        -   1.5.1. 30 to 1 instead of 3 to 1. (Note: 40 to 1 with 4            decks)    -   1.6.Varied Hand (as described in the section Under the Gun Pay        Schedule) will pay:        -   1.6.1. 20 to 1 instead of 2 to 1.-   2. A side wager that has not qualified for a Under the Gun hand (as    described in the section “Qualifying Under the Gun Hand”), but has    qualified for a Bull's-eye Bonus (as described in the section    “Qualifying Bull's-eye Bonus”) will get paid:    -   2.1. at odds of 1 to 1 for a wager that is less than $5.    -   2.2. at odds of 3 to 1 for a wager that is not less than $5 and        not more than $24.    -   2.3. at odds of 5 to 1 for a wager that is more than $24.        Losing Hands-   1. A side wager that has not qualified for a Under the Gun hand (as    described in the section “Qualifying Under the Gun Hand”) and has    not qualified for a Bull's-eye Bonus (as described in the section    “Qualifying Bull's-eye Bonus”) is deemed to be a losing wager and is    collected by the dealer.    Eligible Cards-   1. The “original two cards” refers to:    -   1.1.The first and second cards dealt to the pertinent betting        spot after a valid blackjack wager and a valid Under the Gun        side wager are made.    -   1.2.And any two cards that make a two card hand prior to the        player exercising any play options.    -   1.3.And card(s) that is deemed by a casino representative, with        the authority to make such a decision, to replace the card(s)        described in 1.1 & 1.2.-   2. The “original two cards” does not refer to:    -   2.1.Any card(s) deemed ineligible for the original blackjack        game by a casino representative with the authority to make such        a decision.    -   2.2.Any card(s) replaced by another card as a result of a        decision made by a casino representative with the authority to        make such a decision.-   3. The “Dealer's Up-card” refers to:    -   3.1.The first card that is drawn to the Dealer that is exposed,        according to regular blackjack rules, to the player prior to the        players playing their hand.    -   3.2.Any card that is drawn to any hand which, as a result of a        discrepancy, is deemed to be the Dealer's Up-card described in        3.1 by a casino representative with the authority to make such a        decision.-   4. The “Dealer's Up-card” does not refer to:    -   4.1. Any card that is drawn to the Dealer's hand but deemed not        in play for the original game (“burned” or otherwise) by a        casino representative with the authority to make such a        decision.    -   4.2.Any card that is drawn to any hand which, as a result of a        discrepancy, is offered to another betting spot by a casino        representative with the authority to make such a decision.        -   4.2.1. The casino representative should inform the players            that this card is not an eligible Bonus card prior to            offering it to any hand.            Wagers and Payoffs-   1. When taking a losing side wagers the dealer must:    -   1.1.Take each losing side wager immediately after the initial        cards are dealt to each player and the Dealer's Up-card is        established.        -   1.1.1. Place all losing side wagers immediately into the            chip tray-   2. When paying a qualifying side wagers the dealer must:    -   2.1. Pay all winning side wagers in accordance with the odds        described in the “Under the Gun Pay Schedule” or the odds        described in the “Bull's-eye Bonus Pay Schedule”.    -   2.2. Pay each winning side wager immediately after the initial        cards are dealt to each player and the Dealer's Up-card is        established and all losing side-wager bets are taken.    -   2.3. Pay winning side wagers with chips directly from the chip        tray.    -   2.4. Clearly announce the amount that is being paid to the        winning side wager.    -   2.5. Place all winning amounts at the top left (Dealer's) area        past the blackjack betting spot.    -   2.6. Pay the winning side wager no more than one time, unless        there is a discrepancy and the dealer is directed otherwise by a        casino representative with the authority to make such a        decision.    -   2.7. Contact the <insert position>before paying a side wager an        amount equaling or exceeding <insert amount>.-   3. Players are not permitted to remove their original side wager    until all side-wagers are resolved.-   4. Jackpot payoffs of <insert amount> or more must be conducted in    accordance with <insert jackpot procedure>.-   5. Under the Gun side wagers cannot be made until all wagers from    the previous round are paid or taken and the cards are removed from    the table layout.    Start of the Game-   1. Prior to the start of each round of blackjack play, the players    are given the opportunity to place an optional wager on a designated    side wager betting spot that is situated on the table layout. At the    same time the player will place their primary wager for the original    blackjack game.    -   1.1. These wagers must be placed prior to any cards being dealt        out for the round.-   2. The Under the Gun side wager will have betting limits that will    be:    -   2.1.A Maximum of $<insert min.>    -   2.2.A Minimum of $<insert min.>-   3. After all Under the Gun wagers and blackjack wagers are placed,    the dealer will begin to deal the cards out.    -   3.1.Once the dealer begins to deal the cards out, the players        may not place a wager or alter the amount of their existing        wager.        Sequence of Play-   1. Once all cards are distributed to each hand, the dealer will    commence by taking all losing wagers in accordance with “Wagers and    Payoffs Section 1” starting from the first active spot on the    dealer's right and then proceeding left until all losing wagers are    removed.-   2. The Dealer will commence paying any qualifying hands in    accordance with “Wagers and Payoffs Section 2” beginning from the    first qualifying hand on the Dealer's right.    -   2.1. For each winning side wager the Dealer will announce the        type of qualifying hand.        -   E.g. 5 (Diamonds) & 4 (Diamonds) should be announced as            “Straight-flush”.        -   E.g. 3 (Hearts) & 5 (Hearts) should be announced as “Flush”.        -   E.g. 2 (Diamonds) & 4 (Clubs) should be announced as            “Varied”.    -   2.2. Followed by announcing the amount being paid.-   3. Once all Under the Gun wagers are resolved, the hands will    continue to be played per regular blackjack procedures.

The rules of the above described game for enhancing the game ofBlackjack or Twenty-one are summarized as follows:

Under the Gun is an optional side wager offered in the game of ShoeBlackjack which is open to all Players who have made a Blackjackwager(s). The Player will win if the first two cards they receive havevalues under 6 (Aces count as high) or if the value and suit of theDealer's up-card matches the value and suit of at least one of thePlayer's first two cards.

Under the Gun Play

-   1. Prior to the start of each round of Blackjack, Players are    afforded the opportunity to place an Under the Gun wager. This wager    must be placed on the designated betting spot at the same time the    primary Blackjack wager is made. All wagers must be in $1 multiples.-   2. Once the Dealer has dealt the first two cards to each Player and    has established an up-card, the Dealer must determine if any of the    Players, who have wagered on the Under the Gun wager, have hands    that qualify for an Under the Gun payout.-   3. Players who's first two cards dealt to them both have values    under 6, will be paid their winnings according to the Under the Gun    Jackpot Pay Table displayed below, unless the Dealer's up-card    matches both suit and value of at least one of the Player's cards.-   4. When the Dealer's up-card matches both suit and value of at least    one of the Player's cards, the Player will be paid according to the    Under the Gun Bull's-eye Bonus Pay Table.-   5. Each Under the Gun wager is only entitled to one payout from the    Under the Gun pay table as shown in FIG. 2.-   6. Players who qualify for an Under the Gun payout will be paid    according to the Under the Gun Pay Tables below.    Jackpot Hands-   1. Suited Pair    -   1.1. Original two cards have the same value and suit.        -   1.1.1. 2-2 (Suited), 3-3 (Suited), 4-4 (Suited) & 5-5            (Suited).-   2. Straight-Flush    -   2.1. Original two cards are in sequence and the same suit.        -   2.1.1. 2-3 (Suited), 3-4 (Suited) & 4-5 (Suited).-   3. Flush    -   3.1. Original two cards are not in sequence, not the same value,        but the same suit        -   3.1.1. 2-4 (Suited), 2-5 (Suited) & 3-5 (Suited).-   4. Pair    -   4.1. Original two cards have the same value, but not the same        suit.        -   4.1.1. 2-2 (Non-suited), 3-3 (Non-suited), 4-4 (Non-suited)            & 5-5 (Non-suited).-   5. Straight    -   5.1. Original two cards are in sequence, but not the same suit.        -   5.1.1. 2-3 (Non-suited), 3-4 (Non-suited) & 4-5            (Non-suited).-   6. Varied    -   6.1. Original two cards are not in sequence, not the same value,        and not the same suit.        -   6.1.1. 2-4 (Non-suited), 2-5 (Non-suited) & 3-5            (Non-suited).            Bull's-Eye Bonus-   1. As shown in the pay table of FIG. 2, when the player wins a    Bull's-eye Bonus by matching one of the first two cards with the    Dealer's up-card, the payoff on a winning Jackpot Hand will increase    10 times, with the exception of a Suited-Pair which increases by 50    times.-   2. As shown in the pay table below, if the Player does not have a    winning Jackpot Hand, but wins the Bull's-eye bonus by matching one    of the first two cards with the Dealer's up-card, the bet will get    paid at odds according to the amount wagered.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the second embodiment will now bedescribed in greater detail.

Under the Gun is an optional side wager offered with the game of ShoeBlackjack, which is open to all Players who have made a Blackjackwager(s).

The Player wins if the first two cards they receive both have valuesunder 9 and:

-   1. The hand is a black pair.-   2. The hand is a red two-card flush.-   3. The hand is any two-card straight.    OR-   4. If the value and suit of the Dealer's up-card matches the value    and suit of at least one of the Player's first two cards    Under the Gun Play-   1. Prior to the start of each round of Blackjack, Players are    afforded the opportunity to place a $1 minimum/$100 maximum Under    the Gun wager. This wager must be placed on the designated betting    spot at the same time the primary Blackjack wager is made and cannot    exceed the Blackjack wager. All wagers must be in $1 multiples.-   2. Once the Dealer has dealt the first two cards to each Player and    has established an up-card, the Dealer must determine if any of the    Players, who have wagered on the Under the Gun wager, have hands    that qualify for an Under the Gun payout.-   3. Players who's first two cards dealt to them both have values    under 9 and is a two-card black pair, red flush or straight will be    paid their winnings according to the Under the Gun Jackpot Pay Table    displayed below, unless the Dealer's up-card matches both suit and    value of at least one of the Player's cards.-   4. When the Dealer's up-card matches both suit and value of at least    one of the Player's cards, the Player will be paid according to the    Under the Gun Bull's-eye Bonus Pay Table.-   5. Each Under the Gun wager is only entitled to one payout from the    Under the Gun pay tables.-   6. Players who qualify for an Under the Gun payout will be paid    according to the Under the Gun Pay Tables below.    Jackpot Hands

To qualify for a Jackpot Hand, both cards must have index values under9. Aces are valued as higher than 9.

-   1. Black Suited Pair    -   1.1. Original two cards that are both Black Suits and have the        same value and suit.        -   1.1.1. 2-2 (Suited), 3-3 (Suited), 4-4 (Suited), 5-5            (Suited), 6-6 (Suited), 7-7 (Suited), and 8-8 (Suited).-   2. Black Pair    -   2.1.Original two cards that are Black Suits have the same value        and are not Suited Pairs.        -   2.1.1. 2-2 (Non-suited), 3-3 (Non-suited), 4-4 (Non-suited)            & 5-5 (Non-suited) 6-6 (Non-Suited), 7-7 (Non-Suited), and            8-8 (Non-Suited).-   3. Red Straight-Flush    -   3.1.Original two cards that are Red Suits and are in sequence        and the same suit.        -   3.1.1. 2-3 (Suited), 3-4 (Suited) & 4-5 (Suited), 5-6            (Suited), 6-7 (Suited) & 7-8 (Suited).-   4. Red Flush    -   4.1.Original two cards that are Red Suits, are the same suit and        are not Red Straight-Flushes.-   5. Any Straight    -   5.1. Original two cards that are in sequence and are not Red        Straight-Flushes.

FIG. 4 shows a table of eligible Jackpot Hands, which are numberedaccording to the descriptions above. This table will supersede allinterpretations of eligible Jackpot Hands.

Bull's-Eye Bonus

-   1. As shown in the pay table below, when the player wins a    Bull's-eye Bonus by matching one of the first two cards with the    Dealer's up-card, the payoff on a winning Jackpot Hand will increase    5 times, with the exception of a Black Suited-Pair which increases    by 50 times.-   2. As shown in the pay table below, if the Player does not have a    winning Jackpot Hand, but wins the Bull's-eye bonus by matching one    of the first two cards with the Dealer's up-card, the bet will get    paid at odds according to the amount wagered.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein abovedescribed, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same madewithin the spirit and scope of the claims without department from suchspirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in theaccompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only andnot in a limiting sense.

1. A method for enhancing a conventional game of Twenty-one, the methodcomprising: providing a player an opportunity to place a Twenty-onewager to participate in the conventional game of Twenty-one; providingthe player an opportunity to place a side wager that an index value ofeach of an initial two cards dealt to the player is lower in magnitudethan a prescribed index value; dealing the initial two cards to theplayer; verifying that the player placed the side wager and paying theplayer a winning amount on the side wager if the index value of each ofthe initial two cards dealt to the player are lower in magnitude thanthe prescribed index value.
 2. The method according to claim 1 whereinthe winning amount is a multiple of the side wager and wherein themultiple is of a lower magnitude if the index values of the initial twocards are non-matching and non-sequential and suits of the initial twocards are non-matching and wherein the multiple is of a higher magnitudeif the initial two cards correspond to one of a plurality of paying twocard poker hands.
 3. The method according to claim 2 wherein theplurality of paying two card poker hands includes: a suited pair inwhich the index values and the suits of the initial two cards match; astraight flush in which the suits of the initial two cards match and theindex values of the initial two cards are sequential; a flush in whichthe suits of the initial two cards match and the index values of theinitial two cards are non-matching and non-sequential; a non-suited pairin which the index values of the initial two cards match and the suitsof the initial two cards differ; and a straight in which the indexvalues of the initial two cards are sequential and the suits of theinitial two cards differ.
 4. The method according to claim 1 includingincreasing the winning amount by a factor if the suit and the indexvalue of at least one of the initial two cards dealt to the playermatches an initial face-up card dealt to a dealer of the conventionalgame of Twenty-one.
 5. The method according to claim 4 wherein thefactor is greatest when the initial two cards comprise a suited pair inwhich the index values and the suits of the initial two cards match. 6.The method according to claim 1 including paying the player an auxiliarywinning amount if the suit and the index value of at least one of theinitial two cards dealt to the player matches an initial face-up carddealt to a dealer of the conventional game of Twenty-one, but at leastone index value of the initial two cards is equal to or greater than theprescribed index value.
 7. A method for enhancing a conventional game ofTwenty-one, the method comprising: providing a player an opportunity toplace a Twenty-one wager to participate in the conventional game ofTwenty-one; providing the player an opportunity to place a side wagerthat a two-card poker hand value of an initial two cards dealt to theplayer will equal one of the plurality of paying two card poker handvalues and that an index value of each of the initial two cards dealt tothe player is lower in magnitude than a prescribed index value; dealingthe initial two cards to the player; verifying that the player placedthe side wager and paying the player a winning amount on the side wagerif the two-card poker hand value of the initial two cards dealt to theplayer equals one of the plurality of paying two card poker hand valuesand that an index value of each of the initial two cards dealt to theplayer is lower in magnitude than the prescribed index value.
 8. Themethod according to claim 7 wherein the plurality of paying two cardpoker hands includes a suited pair in which the index values and thesuits of the initial two cards match and in which the suits are adesignated colour.
 9. The method according to claim 7 wherein theplurality of paying two card poker hands includes a straight flush inwhich the suits of the initial two cards match and are a designatedcolour and the index values of the initial two cards are sequential. 10.The method according to claim 7 wherein the plurality of paying two cardpoker hands includes a flush in which the suits of the initial two cardsmatch and are a designated colour and the index values of the initialtwo cards are non-sequential.
 11. The method according to claim 7wherein the plurality of paying two card poker hands includes anon-suited pair in which the index values of the initial two cards matchand the suits of the initial two cards differ, but are of a commondesignated colour.
 12. The method according to claim 7 wherein theplurality of paying two card poker hands includes a straight in whichthe index values of the initial two cards are sequential and the suitsof the initial two cards differ.
 13. The method according to claim 7wherein the prescribed index value is
 9. 14. The method according toclaim 7 including increasing the winning amount by a factor if the suitand the index value of at least one of the initial two cards dealt tothe player matches an initial face-up card dealt to a dealer of theconventional game of Twenty-one.
 15. The method according to claim 7wherein the factor is greatest when the initial two cards comprise asuited pair in which the index values and the suits of the initial twocards match.
 16. The method according to claim 7 including paying theplayer an auxiliary winning amount if the suit and the index value of atleast one of the initial two cards dealt to the player matches aninitial face-up card dealt to a dealer of the conventional game ofTwenty-one and that a two-card poker hand value of the initial two cardsdealt to the player does not equal one of the a plurality of paying twocard poker hand values.
 17. The method according to claim 7 includingincreasing the winning amount if both: 1) the two-card poker hand valueof the initial two cards dealt to the player equals one of the pluralityof paying two card poker hand values and the index value of each of theinitial two cards dealt to the player is lower in magnitude than theprescribed index value; and 2) the suit and the index value of at leastone of the initial two cards dealt to the player matches the suit andthe index value of the initial face-up card dealt to the dealer.
 18. Amethod for enhancing a conventional game of Twenty-one, the methodcomprising: providing a player an opportunity to place a Twenty-onewager to participate in the conventional game of Twenty-one; providingthe player an opportunity to place a side wager that a two-card pokerhand value of an initial two cards dealt to the player will equal one ofthe plurality of paying two card poker hand values; dealing the initialtwo cards to the player; verifying that the player placed the side wagerand paying the player a winning amount on the side wager if the two-cardpoker hand value of the initial two cards dealt to the player equals oneof the plurality of paying two card poker hand values; and increasingthe winning amount by a factor if a suit and an index value of at leastone of the initial two cards dealt to the player matches a suit and anindex value an initial face-up card dealt to a dealer of theconventional game of Twenty-one.
 19. The method according to claim 18including paying the player an auxiliary winning amount if the suit andthe index value of at least one of the initial two cards dealt to theplayer matches an initial face-up card dealt to a dealer of theconventional game of Twenty-one and that a two-card poker hand value ofthe initial two cards dealt to the player does not equal one of the aplurality of paying two card poker hand values.
 20. The method accordingto claim 18 including increasing the winning amount if both: 1) thetwo-card poker hand value of the initial two cards dealt to the playerequals one of the plurality of paying two card poker hand values; and 2)the suit and the index value of at least one of the initial two cardsdealt to the player matches the suit and the index value of the initialface-up card dealt to the dealer.